Summer in Winter

I have mentioned several times about the unusual weather patterns that have been plaguing our area this year. It is close to the end of February and the last few days have given us spring like conditions.  I am very worried about our trees which are starting to bud for the third time and the leaves are opening and curling up. I can se real difficulties for the fruit growers if this trend continues,

Yesterday we had about an inch or two of snow on the ground and today we have no sign of snow because the temperature rose to well above freezing and light rain took away all signs of winter. The weather man tells us we have plenty of time left to have a winter but the forecast  is for continued warm and above seasonal temperatures.

Our little creek has run freely this week and with all the melting snow the runoff could cause real areas of draught. Normally we have a snow pack which provides needed ground water in the spring and this year we see none of this which is a real concern. Some of the vegetation which depends on snow for the protection of the new growth has already shown some abnormal damage and the golf courses are actually permitting a limited amount of playing in the end of February.

Nature has a way of balancing its needs so we will just have to wait and see if Mother Nature will take care of business and make all the problems disappear.